Global MBA luncheon promotes unique Webster degree option

Photos of happy-go-lucky world travelers splashed across the big screen at the Global MBA information session in the University Center Sunnen Lounge on Nov. 16. Sponsored by the School of Business and Technology, the session provided prospective graduate students with a more in-depth look at the program.

Benjamin Akande, dean of the School of Business and Technology, spent time giving an overall introduction to the program and to the ways students could benefit from the degree.

"When you think about the current economic conditions, you need to be competitive when you enter the workforce," Akande said. "Our focus is that this program sets you apart. It is an immersion in global competency."

Students in the program attend classes in five different countries over the course of 11 months.

Anne Browning, director of WU's Global MBA Program, said students get a rare look at the inner workings of international corporations and are afforded many opportunities to build connections with executives.

"We work hard to get you that corporate exposure," Browning said.

That's a big draw for students like Monica Fugel, a graduate from the University of Missouri-St. Louis who attended the session to learn more about the degree.

"Over there, not only do you get to learn from different companies but also from their experiences," Fugel said.

So far, the Global MBA Program has been a success in terms of job placement. All but one of the graduates in the inaugural class have found employment.

"We're working with him to find the place where he wants to be," Akande said.

Though the program is designed to provide students with a competitive edge in the job market, the price tag could prove hefty for some.

According to the Global MBA Web site, the fee for the 2009-2010 program was $48,000.

Jake Alonzo, a junior management major, said he is unsure whether he would be able to afford the program.

Browning said that students who apply by Dec. 1, will receive last year's tuition rate. She also reminded students that scholarships and other forms of financial aid are available to help offset the cost of the program.

Still, having the ability to finance the Global MBA degree does not guarantee admission.

Akande said that close to 60 students applied for the 2009-2010 program and only 15 were selected. He anticipated that the number of admissions for the 2010-2011 program would be similar.

Undeterred by the idea of tough competition, students like Alonzo still plan to apply.

"I want to set myself apart from other applicants to give myself that advantage," Alonzo said.

Todd Stadnik, a junior finance major, said he appreciates that the degree offers a big picture view of international business.

"I think it's a good program because you get to go to five countries and get different perspectives," Stadnik said.

For Mike Budenholzer, a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, the idea of getting an education while traveling holds the greatest appeal.

"I love traveling and being abroad," Budenholzer said. "So, that sounds like a win-win to me."